when president obama visited south africa this summer, mandela was so ill, the two were unable to meet. still mandela's inspiration played large during the president's trip. president obama returned to robben island, the prison where mandela known as madiba spent 18 years but this time he brought his entire family. >> there was something different about bringing my children and malia is now 15. sasha is 12. and seeing them stand within the walls that once surrounded nelson mandela, i knew this was an experience that they would never forget. i knew that they now appreciated a little bit more the sacrifices that madiba and others had made for freedom. >> reporter: soon after the leader's death was announced, obama said he could not imagine his life without mandela's example. >> we have lost one of the most influential, courageous, and profoundly good human beings that any of us will ever share time with on this earth. he no longer belongs to us. he belongs to the ages. >> reporter: we are told he will head to south africa to pay tribute to nelson mandela and told the stature of mandela a